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10 Tips to Grow Your Business in 2010
The start of a new year inevitably brings with it new goals, new challenges and new opportunities for all of us both personally and professionally. In an effort to help you achieve your goals this year, SMS has put together 10 Tips to Help You Improve Your Business in 2010.
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 Modernized Med Supp Coming
Surely you've heard by now that the carriers will be introducing all new Medicare Supplement products in 2010, due to the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) which becomes effective June 1, 2010. (For more on these changes, visit www.2010medsupp.com)
What have you done to adapt to the changing market? Senior Market Sales can position you with the companies and tools you need to grow your business in 2010.
Call a Marketer at 1-877-888-9996 and ask what company you can sell in 2010.
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Deal or No Deal?
Work begins on merging the two health care bills.
See a comparison of the bills at a glance.
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 OEP Rules of Engagement
During the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) from January 1st to March 31st, consumers may change to any plan as long as it is "like" their previous plan in terms of Part D benefits.
Attached below are a few carrier versions of "Like-to-Like" cheat sheets showing what changes are allowed during the OEP.
UnitedHealthcare®
Coventry
Humana
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Special Election Period Ending January 31st, 2010
The Special Election Period (SEP) for beneficiaries who lost their Medicare Advantage plan as of 12/31/09 will be ENDING on 1/31/2010. The SEP allows beneficiaries who lost coverage to enroll into another Medicare Advantage plan, regardless of Part D coverage.
These individuals will also be Guarantee Issue for Medicare Supplement for 63 days from the date they lost coverage, or March 3rd, 2010.
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Training Opportunities from UnitedHealthcare®
View available training sessions in MI, PA and VA
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Half-Price Lead Program
Aetna is offering to share 50% of the cost for approved direct mail campaigns in the following states: CA, CO, GA, IL, MD, NV, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX (see program agreement for specific counties).
The cost is $386.10 per 1,000 pieces before cost share. With Aetna's 50% cost share you pay only $193.05 per 1,000-piece mailing!
Agents who used this program during the AEP reported response rates above industry standards.
Download the Program Agreement to get started. Fax completed agreement to 402-391-9688.
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 Will Travel Industry Rebound or Remain Flat in 2010?
Travel Insurance Center Director of Sales and Marketing Dan Drennen shares his thoughts on what 2010 has in store for the travel insurance market. Read More.
Ask us how you can earn extra commission by becoming a Travel Insurance Center Affiliate.
Contact Brandon, Alan or Dan at 1-866-979-6753.
info@TravelInsuranceCenter.com
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How To Open Secure Email From SMS
E-mails from SMS that contain sensitive information—such as social security numbers, account numbers or member IDs—will be encrypted. When you receive a secure email from SMS, follow these instructions:
To bring your own practice in compliance with the Hi-Tech Act, go to www.zixencryption.com. What is Hi-Tech and Secure E-mail?
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The SMS Agent Advantage newsletter is posted on the home page at www.SeniorMarketSales.com
Send contact changes to sms@seniormarketsales.com
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Join the Senior Market Sales
group on LinkedIn
Join the "Better Buckets Beta"
group on LinkedIn
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Special Offers
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E&O Insurance as low as $395/Yr
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New HIPPA Regulations
for Agents
You need to be aware that new HIPPA privacy standards are going into effect for agents and brokers on February 17th, 2010. Learn More.
Get instructions for viewing secure e-mail here.
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The Better Buckets White Paper
Learn about a unique new method for laddering assets that offers safety and stability in retirement.
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Using Annuities to Fund LTCi
With the Pension Protection Act now in effect, annuity owners can use their non-qualified annuity to pay for long-term care insurance premiums tax-free.
Here are two sales ideas to help you take advantage of the new law:
Using an Immediate
Annuity to Fund LTCi
Using a 1035 Exchange
to Fund LTCi
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The Rule of 72
Divide 72 by the inflation rate to see how long it will take for your current purchasing power to be cut in half.
For example, if the compound annual inflation rate is 3.0%, according to The Rule of 72, $1 million will feel a lot more like $500,000 in 24 years (72 ÷ 3 = 24).
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Webinar:
Serving High Net Worth Clients
with Premium Financing
Date: Thursday, Jan. 14th, 2010
Time: 3:00 pm CST
Register Now
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New Estate Planning Products
NACOLAH's Survivorship
GIUL Now Available
Comprehensive death benefit protection covering two lives.
Baltimore Life's Generation
Legacy Coming Soon
Coming in February 2010, this unique new product offers your clients a tax-efficient way to leverage non-qualified annuities and qualified assets that aren't needed for daily living expenses to fund an income tax-free death benefit for their heirs.
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Free Partnership Training!
Coming this February, you can get your 4-hour partnership renewal course or, if you’re not already partnership certified, your 8-hour initial course for FREE by being contracted with SMS.
Call 1-888-456-8884 (Option 4) for details.
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The DOs and DON'Ts of LTCi
In order to increase your Long-Term Care sales in this environment, you need to understand the reasons why people are and are not buying it.
Here are 13 Reasons People DO and DON'T Buy LTCi.
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